New York International Auto Show - On To The Next One

Scene: New York International Auto Show; Javits Center--New York, NY

New York is typically where the last major auto show takes place before summer. On media days, it’s a suit and tie event for us. Instead of meeting enthusiasts and checking out project cars, we have to be on our best behavior to speak with representatives of different auto manufacturers so we can get you the scoop on what cars are coming and what we can look forward to. We sifted through all the minivans, trucks econo cruisers to bring you the best news here:

2014 Scion tC

Scion’s biggest seller is back with a fresh face. The new tC isn’t miles different from the previous-gen, but gets a slightly more aggressive demeanor with redesigned headlights, grille and front bumper. There are some LED accents to both the head- and taillights as well, plus new 18" wheels come factory-equipped. Inside, the tC gets a 6.1" LCD touchscreen which will be standard on all models. The 2.5-liter four cylinder remains the same but the automatic tranny has been updated to change gears nearly double the speed, also said to rev match on downshifting—we’ll have a full report when we test it ourselves. Pricing will start at $19,480 and expect tCs to be hitting dealerships this summer.

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| Jaguar introduced this street-legal track car named the XKR-S GT. The car comes with the same 550hp V8 as the XKR-S but features all-new aero, suspension, brakes and carbon-fiber goodies to get you around the track faster and look like a boss. But only 30 examples will be sold so keep dreaming…

Justice League United!

For the last six months, we’ve had the opportunity to help raise awareness and money for the hunger crisis in the Horn of Africa. We teamed up with Kia and DC Comics to help build cars based off superheroes like the Green Lantern-themed Soul and Superman-themed Optima. At New York, all the Kia heroes united for the unveiling of the final Justice League member, Wonder Woman, which is based off the Sportage. For more info on the campaign and cars, visit wecanbeheroes.org.

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| Seeing the new Porsche GT3 makes us weak in the knees. The GT3 is about 1.7

Subaru WRX Concept

Subaru dropped the curtains on this gorgeous concept. It’s lower, wider, sleeker and straight up sexy. Of course it’ll come with everything we love about the Subie brand—turbocharged engine, all-wheel drive, independent suspension and impeccable handling. But the design has got us sprung most with its carbon roof, aggressive aero, bold wheel arches, edgy lighting and BBS RI-D wheels. We are hoping…no, we are praying the next WRX will look close to this concept.

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| The Camaro Z/28 is back and built for the track! Starting at $55K, it’s been lightened and given 500hp from a high-revvin’, dry-sump LS7. It also uses carbon-ceramic brakes, manual tranny (no automatic option) and A/C is not standard to keep weight down. We wouldn’t mind having this ‘Merica muscle in our garage.

Scion Release Series 10

Maybe the coolest release series to date from Scion, all five models in the line-up will be offered in this Release Series 10 trim. It comes painted Silver Ignition—absolutely beautiful in person. It also receives LED emblems which turn on when you unlock your car. Solar-powered illuminated shift knob and silver seat belts are also added. For the FR-S, it gets HID headlights with LED DRLs (as seen on the JDM 86 model). The FR-S will also come with dual climate controls and a push-button start. 10,000 total units will be offered across the line—we recommend you put your deposit down now!

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| McLaren’s 12C Can-Am edition is the ultimate track car but it’ll cost you just under $600K. So sell your house and your kids cause this is simply a must-have with a 3.8-liter turbocharged V8 that puts down 630hp. It’s also got a rollcage, F1-style steering wheel, race buckets and one helluva aero package designed from its GT3-class racer.

2015 VW GTI

The new Mk7 GTI isn’t anything new for the world as they’re already roaming the streets of Europe. But New York marked the revealing of the North American model, which will feature an updated version of the 2.0-liter turbocharged TSI motor pushing out 210hp and 258 lb-ft of torque. There’s also a chance that we’ll get an optional performance package as an option that gives the GTI a little more juice, bigger brakes and LSD

HKS Premium Day is one of those events in the world that you absolutely must add to your Calendar. There is no other time or place in the world where you will find the very best built cars in Japan in one place at one time!

Over the course of three days, Jofel and I took our supercharged, widebody, ex-SEMA show car Scion FR-S on a 1125-mile road trip. A first for Targa Trophy, this MegaRun journey would take us across three states.

Few recent releases have had such an impact on the tuner industry as the Scion FR-S/Toyota GT86 and Subaru BRZ. One could argue this fun RWD platform saved the tuning scene - illustrated at Tokyo Auto Salon the past few years.